TAS Systemic Advocacy Objectives identify areas within IRS tax administration where advocacy can reduce taxpayer burden, prevent harm, and protect taxpayer rights. Similar to the way Most Serious Problems are identified in the Annual Report to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate relies on multiple sources to identify key Systemic Advocacy Objectives, including TAS staff experiences, trends in advocacy efforts and our casework, and interactions with practitioners and external stakeholders.

TAS’s Systemic Advocacy Objectives for FY 2027 are:

1. Protect Taxpayer Rights and Reduce Uncertainty in IRS Administration of COVID-19
   Disaster Relief Claims
2. Reduce Delays for Victims of Identity Theft
3. Reduce Delays and Taxpayer Burden as the IRS Phases Out Paper Refund Checks
4. Help Taxpayers With Digital Assets Comply With Reporting Requirements
5. Improve Math Error Notices and Abatement Procedures
6. Protect Taxpayers’ Refund Claims by Improving the Statute Extension Process
7. Reduce Taxpayer Burden by Improving Tax Pro Account
8. Reduce Taxpayer Burden Caused by Suspended Return Processing Delays
9. Protect Taxpayer Rights Through Fair and Consistent Penalty Application
10. Protect Taxpayer Access to Representation by Improving IRS Authorization Processing
11. Reduce Taxpayer Burden From Delays in Processing Deceased Taxpayers’ Returns
    and Refunds

Read All TAS Systemic Advocacy Objectives